Biomimetics

Biomimetic Shoulder & Arm Replacement

Biomimetics (also known as biomimicry, bionics, bio-inspiration, biognosis, and close to bionical creativity engineering) is the application of biological methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology.

HERA has been pioneering advances in biomimetics since its inception in 1952. Symbiosis between the organic and the inorganic is a logical progression and not to be feared.

At HERA we believe that the pursuit of bionics is vital to human survival. For 60 years our scientists have been leading the way in the development of bionic limbs, organs and now with the latest advances we have successfully created the first bionic interface allowing the human mind to operate complex computer systems.

HERA’s Methods

Often, the study of biomimetics emphasizes implementing a function found in nature rather than just imitating biological structures. For example, in computer science, cybernetics tries to model the feedback and control mechanisms that are inherent in intelligent behaviour, while artificial intelligence tries to model the intelligent function regardless of the particular way it can be achieved.

The conscious copying of examples and mechanisms from natural organisms and ecologies is a form of applied case-based reasoning, treating nature itself as a database of solutions that already work. Proponents argue that the selective pressure placed on all natural life forms minimizes and removes failures.

Although almost all engineering could be said to be a form of biomimicry, the modern origins of this field are usually attributed to HERA’s work with Buckminster Fuller and its later codification as a house or field of study to Janine Benyus.

Roughly, we can distinguish three biological levels in the fauna or flora, after which our technology can be modeled:

• Mimicking natural methods of manufacture
• Imitating mechanisms found in nature (velcro)
• Studying organizational principles from the social behaviour of organisms, such as the flocking behaviour of birds, optimization of ant foraging and bee foraging, and the swarm intelligence (SI)-based behaviour of a school of fish.